There were plenty of 2008 rookies who appeared to be primed for an explosive season but fell short due to injury or circumstance. Felix Jones, Ryan Torrain and others look to capitalize on a fresh opportunity this season.

Who will be the biggest surprises and statistical ground-gainers on offense in 2009? Let's take a look.

13. WR Miles Austin - Dallas Cowboys

Miles Austin is getting love from the coaching staff and his quarterback and he deserves it.

Austin was productive with limited playing time in 2008. His participation was limited due to injury and partially due to the T.O. and Roy Williams stable of proven veterans.

He is quick and sure handed and much more humble than his predecessor Terrell Owens. I expect him to get a fair share of the looks from Tony Romo with Roy Williams and Jason Witten drawing the attention.

12. QB JaMarcus Russell - Oakland Raiders

Al Davis may be mocked for many things, but anyone who denies that his quest for speed is sound needs to check their thought process.

Russell may need some blockers, but he is big and strong and he can buy himself time to throw to any of his very nice running backs or receiving speedsters Higgins and Heyward-Bey.

He has had time to settle into the craziness of the current Oakland football circus of drama and he is equipped with the support of Al Davis, a cannon for an arm and all the necessary talent to step up a level.

4. RB Donald Brown - Indianapolis Colts

Donald Brown is sitting in a very nice position to assume the running back duties from an unproductive 2008 Joe Addai.

Brown is an NFL ready running back who is expected to split time with Addai, but I expect him to take the job outright and produce on a large scale in a very productive Indianapolis offense.

Donald Brown led the NCAA in rushing in 2008 against weaker competition. The same judgement of weak competition was passed on the 2007 NCAA leading rusher Matt Forte who was fantastic in his 2008 rookie season.

3. RB Chris Wells - Arizona Cardinals

Chris "Beanie" Wells was the third running back drafted, but I believe he will be the first of the rookies to break 1,000 yards in 2009.

The Cardinals don't have a lot of options at running back and defenses can't afford to stack the box to stop the big bruising running style of Wells without sacrificing everything to the talents of Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston.